Walk & Talk Therapy
Counselling while talking in Taunton.
Walk and Talk therapy in Taunton, Somerset-sometimes referred to as Eco-psychotherapy, hiking therapy, Counselling in the open-air
Walk and Talk Therapy is a type of psychotherapy that involves engaging in outdoor walks while discussing problems and finding solutions with your therapist. Based on your personal preferences, I may also incorporate elements of mindfulness, which involve combining physical movement with observing and connecting with the natural environment.
Is Walk and Talk Therapy classified as physical activity?
While it is true that movement can benefit clients physically, it’s important to note that the focus of Walk and Talk Therapy is not solely cantered around exercise. Prior to participating in this therapeutic approach, clients must be in good physical condition and free from any known disabilities or conditions that may hinder or restrict their involvement in Walk and Talk Therapy.
Clients will be responsible for their own medical and physical well-being during each session.
How does confidentiality work when we are outside?
Participating in Walk and Talk Therapy and being out in public has some confidentiality limits, including the possibility that other people may overhear parts of our conversation. Your therapist will make every effort to safeguard your confidentiality during Walk and Talk Therapy sessions. If you decide to engage in Walk and Talk Therapy, we will discuss any concerns and how you would prefer to handle potential risks to confidentiality. You have the option to change your mind at any point during the session and return to the office.
Who:
All kinds of individuals from various backgrounds and age groups can participate in walk-and-talk counselling in Taunton. This form of therapy can be suitable for those who have previously undergone traditional seated therapy, enjoy connecting with nature, have a moderate level of emotional distress, are comfortable with engaging in gentle exercise, and believe that movement allows for emotional expression that sitting still does not permit. If you’re interested, we will determine beforehand if it is clinically appropriate for your specific situation. Walk-and-talk counselling sessions are typically used intermittently alongside in-office or online appointments and can be discontinued at any time. It is not recommended for individuals experiencing active psychosis, suicidal thoughts, or those in an immediate crisis. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it would be more suitable for you to consult with an in-person counsellor in a room-based counselling setting to ensure your safety and provide you with the necessary support. Please dial 999 or 911 for immediate assistance.
What are some recognized hazards associated with Walk and Talk Therapy?
Although this is not an exercise or workout regimen, Walk and Talk therapy may involve physically demanding activities, such as cardiovascular exercises. In addition to the confidentiality guidelines mentioned earlier, outdoor environments pose potential risks, including traffic, insects, and slippery surfaces for walking.
Where:
You and I will work together to determine the ideal location for your sessions. Typically, we choose a local public park in Taunton-Somerset or a nearby neighbourhood with a walking trail. This allows for ample space and ensures utmost confidentiality during our conversations in a public setting.
What are the benefits of outdoor walk and talk therapy?
There are numerous advantages to spending time outdoors in nature, such as improved overall well-being, reduced levels of anxiety, depression, and stress, increased confidence and self-esteem, as well as a sense of calm during times of loss, bereavement, crisis, or transitions.
Individuals opt for walk-and-talk therapy sessions in Taunton for various reasons, including:
• Aiming to make significant lifestyle changes by combining physical movement, talk therapy, healthy habits, and positivity.
• Simply enjoying the experience of conversing while in motion, which helps them express themselves more openly.
• Feeling more at ease engaging in a conversation side-by-side rather than sitting face-to-face in an office setting.
• Seeking an alternative approach to traditional in-counselling room therapy, preferring a more active and interactive method.
• Desiring to break certain habits and integrate more physical activity into their daily routines through a safe and supported approach.
• Benefiting from the calming and invigorating effects of walking in nature and breathing in fresh air.
How do outdoor counselling therapy sessions work?
Walk and talk counselling sessions in Taunton are prearranged so both the client and the counselor can adequately prepare. Initially, I meet with my clients on a weekly basis, but as treatment progresses, some clients transition to bi-weekly sessions. The frequency of sessions differs for each client, as each client presents with unique needs. I prioritize flexibility, always keeping the client’s needs and therapeutic goals in mind. Take the first step towards your wellness and schedule a complimentary 25-minute consultation today.
Why Walking and Talking Therapy Works
I have found that walking and talking therapy is effective with people of all ages. Older clients who enjoy walking at a slow pace find comfort in being surrounded by nature. Some of my teenage clients have found it to be a good alternative to traditional counselling, as they feel more free and able to express themselves. Connecting with the outside world can be beneficial, and walking and talking can help with various issues, such as depression, anxiety, loss, grief, and difficult life transitions – whether personal, relationship-based, family, or work-related. Walking can have a grounding effect, which is beneficial in itself.
I work in a peaceful area of Taunton, near lovely villages and farms with numerous footpaths in the midst of beautiful rolling countryside. Sometimes we may encounter deer, rabbits, and hares during our walks. I believe that nature is inherently uplifting for the soul, whether we are facing challenges or not – especially when we are struggling with problems. If you have tried traditional counseling and found it unsuitable for you, walking and talking could be an excellent alternative. Or if you feel nervous – as most people understandably do before their first counseling session – you might consider exploring the great outdoors while discussing your problems.
Walk-and-talk therapy takes your sessions outdoors in Taunton. It can happen in a public park in Taunton or on nearby trails. This alternative provides a new approach by infusing the benefits of fresh air and exercise into the counselling sessions.
Walk-talk counselling therapy involves an initial assessment session that can be conducted online or in-person at the office. This type of therapy is often used intermittently between online or in-person office-based sessions.
How Does Walk & Talk Therapy Work?
Where will it Take Place? and what happens in the sessions?
The free initial assessment session will take place online via Zoom, WhatsApp and other platforms. This ensures that we are suitable to work together and that I am the best counsellor to help you address your problem. It also allows us to contract together. We will agree on what we will do if the weather is bad.
Thereafter, all our counselling sessions will start at the museum in Taunton or at any convenient location for you in Taunton.
We will meet at a mutually arranged time and date.
I will walk for 50 minutes with you, you the client, setting the pace.
You may prefer a slower, relaxing session or a fast-paced session. If you feel it is necessary to sit down at any time, we will.
Why Choose Walk & Talk Therapy
- In addition to exercise’s ability to combat depression, anxiety, insomnia, weight gain and other health and mental health conditions, combining walking with therapy has benefits of its own:
- Being in natural environments helps our nervous systems unwind – we know that being in nature helps to quell anxiety and rumination and can soothe the mind.
- Walk-Talk therapy offers an opportunity to reduce stress, relieve body tension, improve circulation, breathe deep and clear the body-mind of intrusive, negative and ruminative thoughts and sensations
- Exposure to natural light and fresh air combined with light exercise carries opportunities for mood benefits.
- Being in the outdoors with a counsellor is also a fantastic place to practice refining your mindfulness skills, as there is ample opportunity to tune into sensory information from all of your senses.
- These sessions can help you decrease anxiety, regulate mood, enjoy more restful sleep and more. Additionally, you can receive the feel-good brain chemical benefits of exercise, mindfulness practice and eco-psychology. In the session, you can enhance insight, release body trauma and alter behaviour patterns while verbally processing your authentic truth.
- Walking may encourage and promote you engaging in additional walks on your own.
- Being outside and moving while talking about your difficulties can help create distance between yourself and your problems and this can help you relax
- You choose the location and our walking pace – the walking is secondary to our therapeutic conversation.
- Walk and talk sessions may not suit every situation, but it can provide you with the opportunity to meet and speak comfortably while being immersed in a natural surrounding that appeals to you.
In the sessions?
Before beginning outdoor sessions, you will be invited to participate in an initial online video consultation. During this consultation, we will conduct an assessment and discuss your reasons for seeking outdoor therapy. Additionally, we will cover essential safety and confidentiality factors related to outdoor sessions. Together, we will agree on a meeting location that suits your preferences.
We will meet and start to walk; perhaps in the park, along a scenic waterfront or through the Town of Taunton. Walking side by side, we’ll discuss what comes to mind for you that day in the context of our overall goals, just as if we were sitting inside a therapy room. Sometimes we might take a few moments to stand in silent reflection, deep breathe or sit in guided visualization.
By the end, you’ll have gained some understanding, let loose a little and noticed a helpful shift in your level of stress and anxiety.
What will it Cost? Can I bring my dog to the walk and talk sessions?
Walk-Talk therapy requires an initial assessment session conducted online. When we schedule our appointments, we will discuss the type of session you would prefer.
Yes, in most cases. When and where we will meet, the length of our session and your dog’s personality and temperament will be considered in determining which if any sessions are appropriate for your dog to attend.
The cost of Walk Talk Therapy is £45.
Payment is via cash or bank transfer. Payment needs to be before the session.
Are there any ethical concerns about walk-and-talk therapy?
Apart from any potential physical concerns, there are some ethical questions to consider before you start your first walk. Once you venture out you have less control over the privacy of your session.
There’s the possibility that we will see someone you may know, or you may come across someone who recognizes me as a counsellor. Depending on how busy the park or the trail is, there’s also a chance our conversation may be overheard.
These concerns may not bother some clients and won’t change their preference—but for others, giving up the privacy and confidentiality of their sessions may not be worth the sunshine and fresh air. We will discuss any concerns prior to our first walk-and-talk, so we can make an informed decision together.
Set up boundaries with your clients beforehand, like how they want to proceed if they do see someone they know, or how often they want to stop to rest and drink water. That way, when you’re out on the trail, you can use the walk to focus on your conversation—not distractions.
Some of the shared articles here may provide solutions in themselves, they may raise questions you’d like to explore with a counsellor. Click here for helpful links
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